Toyota Prius Complaints (2007)

2,004 consumer complaints on file.

#10306068February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE A 2007 PRIUS THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED ANY TIME DRIVING OVER ROUGH PATCHES OF ROAD OR OVER RR TRACKS: THE CAR LOSES TRACTION AND POWER FOR A SORT TIME UNTIL SMOOTH PAVEMENT RETURNS. THE VSC LAMP ON THE DASH SHOWS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD OCCUR ON A ROUGH MOUNTAIN ROAD OR IN WET WEATHER. THIS TYPE OF EVENT SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT'S BEING REPORTED BY THE DRIVERS OF THE 2010 PRIUS. IN 47 YEARS OF DRIVING I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR REACT IN THIS WAY. I'VE COMPENSATED BY DRIVING CAUTIOUSLY AND WAIT FOR TRACTION TO RETURN BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL QUITE RIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306065February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I DRIVE A 2007 MODEL YEAR PRIUS, MANUFACTURED BY TOYOTA. OVER THE NEARLY 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP - I HAVE EXPERIENCED, AT LEAST 10 TIMES, A SEEMINGLY SMALL DEFECT DURING LIGHT BRAKING CONDITIONS. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN I TAP ON THE BRAKES DURING A SLOWDOWN TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT (WHERE I MAY BE SLOWLY PUMPING THE BREAKS TO SLOW), THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL POP ON - AND THE CAR WILL SEEMINGLY LURCH FORWARD FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AS IF IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE. THE MATTER ALWAYS RESOLVES ITSELF - AND I DON'T FEEL IN DANGER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT - AND THE LURCHING FORWARD I TOLD YOU ABOUT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WORKING - BECAUSE NONE OF THE SITUATIONS I'M SPEAKING INVOLVED CONDITIONS WHERE I WAS LOSING TRACTION. BEING THAT MOST OF THE PRIUS PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE IN THE 2010 MODEL, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'VE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I HAD NOT FELT THE NEED TO REPORT THIS UNTIL NOW - BECAUSE I FEEL THAT PERHAPS YOU MIGHT WANT TO EXAMINE THIS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SECOND GENERATION PRIUS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306026February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKING ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR THE 2007 PRIUS WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE ARE THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING REPORTED FOR THE 2010 PRIUS. I HAVE A PRIUS WITH TRACTION CONTROL. THERE ARE TWO THINGS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL THAT HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS LIVING IN ST. GEORGE, UTAH. ONE IS WHEN I COME OUT OF A PARKING LOT THAT HAS THE STEEP DIP FOR WATER CONTROL THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MISFIRES ON DRY, CLEAN SURFACES AND IN MANY CASES LEAVES ME DEAD ON THE ROAD FOR A FEW SECONDS IN WHICH THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE ON ROADS WHERE THERE IS A DRAINAGE LID IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND I AM ACTUALLY NOT ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE SECOND IS WHEN I BRAKE. IF THERE IS ANY ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACES, BUMPS, OR DIRT ROADS, I HAVE TO ANTICIPATE THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL FAIL AND/OR I WILL HAVE TO QUICKLY PUMP THE BRAKES AND LEAVE EXTRA BRAKING ROOM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA BECAUSE HAVING HAD A 1999 TACOMA WHOSE BRAKES WOULD FAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS TO THE POINT, FOR WHICH THEY CONTINUALLY REPLACED SENSORS, I SOLD IT AFTER I HAD IT LESS THEN ONE YEAR, I DON'T EXPECT TOYOTA TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I JUST DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. THE SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL, FOR ME, ONLY OCCURS WHEN I HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. MANY TIMES WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACTUALLY SPEEDS UP WITH A JERK OR I WILL LOOK DOWN AT MY SPEED AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL HAVE INCREASED IT BY 10 OR 15 MPH. *JB *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306096February 4, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHT FAILURES HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF AT WILL THEY SAY IT IS A BULB PROBLEM BUT IT KEEPS RECURRING YOU CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306104February 4, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES IN AND OUT RANDOMLY. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT IT'S A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST MORE THAN $1000 TO REPLACE IT. I HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS BEFORE IT STARTED HAPPENING BUT IT'S OVER 36,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306129February 4, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS WHEN THE LEFT HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OFF. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE WELL. I TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS WORKING FINE AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND INVOLVED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED. NOW, THE SAME INCIDENT IS HAPPENING WITH THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305020February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I PURCHASED A 2007 USED TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2009. ON TWO OR THREE OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS, THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND MOMENTARILY. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN BRAKING AROUND A CORNER OR WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET. THE LACK OF BRAKE RESPONSE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM ONLY LASTED FOR A MOMENT AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING SIGN ON MY DASHBOARD. IN ALL PRIOR INSTANCES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESUMED AFTER A FEW SECONDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305062February 4, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE COMPLAINT INVOLVES A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. SINCE NEW THIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS A MOMENTARY LOSS IN BRAKING WHEN SUDDENLY ENCOUNTERING BUMPY OR SLIPPERY SURFACES. THE EVENTS ARE TYPICALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A FLASHING WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A SLIPPERY SURFACE. THESE EVENTS RESULT IN A SLIGHT BUT NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN BRAKING FORCE. BOTH MY WIFE AND I CAN DETECT WHEN THIS OCCURS. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND WE HAVE NOT VISITED THE DEALER. WE THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR OUR CAR UNTIL RECENT TOYOTA NEWS RELEASES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305063February 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED POOR BRAKING AND SLIPPAGE WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY AND/OR WET SURFACES, THE MOST NOTICEABLE OF WHICH IS THE NON-ASPHALT SURFACING AROUND AND BETWEEN RAILROAD TRACKS. I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE AWARE OF THIS ON THE 2010 MODELS, BUT IT HAPPENS ON THE EARLIER MODELS TOO, AND THESE SHOULD BE MADE PART OF THE RECALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON MULTIPLE DATES, THE LATEST IS BELOW. LUCKILY, I LEAVE MORE ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305048February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND ITS BRAKES HAVE FAILED MOMENTARILY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. EVENTS THAT SEEM TO TRIGGER THE FAILURE INCLUDE HITTING POTHOLES, TURNING SHARPLY AT SPEED, AND DRIVING ON VERY ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. THE FAILURE IS MOMENTARY AND HAS NOT RESULTED IN ACCIDENT OR INJURY...JUST A SKIPPED HEART BEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305052February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH IN THE SNOW THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLIDE FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR AND AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 04/14/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305041February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR IN SLUSHY CONDITIONS, EVEN IF THE ROAD SURFACE IS NOT ICY. THIS SITUATION REPEATS ITSELF WHENEVER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE WET AND NEAR 32 DEG. FAHRENHEIT. THE CAR JUST SLIDES STRAIGHT FORWARD WITH NO FISH-TAILING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. OTHER CARS STOP JUST FINE IN SLUSH, BECAUSE THE ROAD SURFACE HAS ADEQUATE TRACTION. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PRIUS OWNERS, AND THEY ALL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE PRIUS WHENEVER POSSIBLE IN THESE WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE FILLED IN A RANDOM INCIDENT DATE BELOW, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE AS DESCRIBED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305071February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN SOMETHING CAUSES THE VEHICLES ANTI-SKID CONTROL TO ACT, THE CAR BRIEFLY ACCELERATES OR LURCHES FORWARD, WHICH SEEMS DANGEROUS WHEN IT'S CAUSED BY SOMETHING LIKE A POTHOLE OR CONSTRUCTION PLATE AT A POINT WHERE I AM SLOWING DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE TIMES FOR AS LONG AS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2007. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304087February 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN IT IS HUMID AND/OR RAINING, THE REAR BRAKES OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS SEIZE UP AS I COME TO A STOP. JUST BEFORE A STOP (IE AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT) THE BRAKES WILL SEEM TO GRAB REALLY HARD IN THE BACK AND THE CAR WILL SORT OF LURCH OR JERK FORWARD BUT BE ABRUPTLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE REAR. THERE IS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK LIKE A RUBBING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS BOTH OF WHICH DENY THAT THIS COULD BE OCCURRING. I INSISTED THAT IT BE LOOKED AT AND TEST DRIVEN AND THE MECHANIC CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY, 2008. PASSENGERS HAVE WITNESSED THIS IN THE CAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SERIOUSLY HUMID (IE ON THE VERGE OF RAINING) OR WHEN IT IS RAINING....EVERY TIME I APPROACH A STOP, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. IT'S LIKE THE REAR OF THE CAR IS SUDDENLY SUPERGLUED TO THE ROAD AND THE BODY OF THE CAR/SHELL OF THE CAR CONTINUES WITH THE FORWARD MOMENTUM/MOTION. FOR THE CATEGORY OF PROBLEM I CHECKED SERVICE BRAKE, HYDRAULIC, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY "BRAKE" OPTION I SAW BESIDES PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS THE CORRECT CATEGORY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304147February 3, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HID BULB INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304208February 3, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID HEADLIGHTS, INTERMITTENT FAILURE. BOTH SIDES. 3 TIMES LAST WEEK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304268February 3, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON. CAN RELIGHT BY TURNING OFF LIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON; PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT REMAINS LIT WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE GOES OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304312February 3, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HIGH INTENSITY HEAD LAMPS WILL GO OUT ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. VERY UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY IF I AM ON AN UNFAMILIAR ROAD AFTER DARK. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT THEY ALSO SAY THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY GO OUT. THEY ALSO HAVE PROMISED TO PAY FOR NEW BULBS IF I HAVE THEM INSTALLED BY THEIR TECH, WHICH I UNDERSTAND, BUT THEY CHARGED $150 TO INSTALL AND I HAVE NOT REC'D A REFUND CHECK FOR THE BULBS. THIS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE IF THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THEM SO IT DOES NOT RE-OCCUR. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304287February 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2007 TOYOTA PRIUS - BRAKES IF DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE, BUMP, OR ANY OTHER NON-FLAT SURFACE, THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK, THE CAR THRUSTS FORWARD, & THE "ABS" LIGHT FLASHES. THIS IS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT I HAD SLIPPING OFF THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304345February 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON OCTOBER 19, 2009 I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON THE I-5 WHEN THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS GOT STUCK AND IT WASN'T THE FLOOR MAT. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A FLOOR MAT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS ON THE PRIUS THE PUSH START BUTTON FAILED SO YOU COULDN'T TURN OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN YOU TRIED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IT WOULD FAIL (NOT SURE WHY), I AM ASSUMING DO THE SPEED YOU ARE GOING THE COMPUTER DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUT IT NEUTRAL OR TURN IT OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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